Prepare the Way of the LORD

Gospel of Mark  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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The Gospel makes it clear that there are two distinct paths for life:
Path No. 1: The Way of the World.
Path No. 2: The Way of the LORD.
We must ask ourselves what does the Gospel dictates to us in regards to this choice of two paths and their destinations.

I. The Written Word bears the Authority of the Sender. (v. 2-3)

Mark records the quote of Isaiah referring to the forerunner to the Messiah.
Isaiah 40:3 LSB
3 A voice is calling, “Prepare the way for Yahweh in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.
Isaiah writes about the Glory of YHWH being manifested to the people, as God shows his “Hessed,” faithful love to them in a comprehensive manner.
Mark also quotes from Exodus, as God is dealing with the people during their time in the wilderness.
Exodus 23:20 LSB
20 “Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to keep you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.
As YHWH portions out the law and His statutes for His people he also comforts Moses and the Hebrews by making it clear that He (YHWH) will deliver them before their enemies.
Mark notes Malachi 3:1, as it deals with the promise of the Messiah coming as the one who will accomplish the redeeming work of the Father.
Malachi 3:1 LSB
1 “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says Yahweh of hosts.
YHWH is speaking of the messenger who will go before Him (YHWH) to make ready the pathway of righteousness. John the Baptist is compared to a “smelter’s fire,” and “fullers’ Soap.”
John the Baptist is the one who will preach the needed message that will remove the impurity from God’s people, who will cleanse the hearts and minds of the hearers.
The Gospel is not head knowledge, emotional coercion, or supernatural superimposition. The Gospel is the message of YHWH in the flesh coming to creation for a Divine purpose.

II. The Author Sends Messengers to Layout His Path. (v. 4)

The Messenger (John the Baptizer) enters history with a unique setting and message that is unlike something the people heard for 400 years.
The Wilderness, “eremo,” refers to the appearing/living of John, the Son of Zechariah, in the areas untouched by cities, and men’s hand. This hints to the image of the Garden, though not in the perfect state, as in Genesis 1-2.
The concept of preaching, “Kerysson,” is the proclaim the Word/Truth of God to a people. In this case, the declaration with authority of God’s Word regarding the Living Word.
Preaching is the declaration of the Living God with the authority of the King whose message is capable of turning the hearts of men.
The soul focus of Preaching is to lead the hearers to repentance and to the full experience of God’s forgiveness. This forgiveness is fresh applied, or repeatedly reminded as to give us a glad heart that rests in God’s freedom, mercy, grace, and righteousness.

III. The Gospel has the Power to Transform Lives. (v. 5)

Mark now records how the message of forgiveness of sins, and repentance leads people to seek John in the countryside of Judea at the banks of the Jordan River.
The aspect of repentance, as we see it play out, is more than musing over opposing views; more than wanting something temporal; more than simply desiring blessings and miracles. repentance of the turning of the heart and mind from selfish pride to full, unabated surrender to YHWH for who He is.
The act of Baptism, “Baptizow,” is an outward seal of the work YHWH has done to lead each individual believer to repent and confess their sins, being set free from the burden of guilt and shame the World and Satan would use against each of us.
Romans 10:5–10 LSB
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of law: “The man who does these things shall live by them.” 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will go down into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, leading to righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, leading to salvation.
The Way of Righteousness that the Bible proclaims is not our own way, or our preferences, it is the message of YHWH’s forgiveness and redemption available only through the Only Begotten Son who dwelled among us!

IV. How Do We Prepare His Way Today?

We find Repentance Anew Every Morning (Lamentations 3:20-23).
We Share the Good News; ALL the Good News.
We Live Out Our Faith in Community (Ephesians 4:1-16).
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